Lebanese Shame

It’s always sad and often disturbing to learn of the nuances of Palestinian plight, but this was completely unexpected. In yesterday’s SMH:

Of the 4.6 million Palestinian refugees spread across 58 camps in five location – Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip – conditions for the 422,000 living in the Lebanese camps are considered the worst.

Palestinians living in Lebanon have no right to citizenship, no right to vote and are explicitly banned from buying private property. To move from one camp to another, Palestinians require a special permit.

Apart from menial labour and some clerical jobs, Palestinians are barred entry to a list of 74 professions including law, medicine, engineering, teaching and journalism.

A Lebanese woman who marries a Palestinian will lose the right to pass on Lebanese citizenship to her children.